Adam’s Heart Runs return to OMSP on Jan. 26, add new 5K

Participants in one of the events at the annual Adam’s Heart Runs at Oak Mountain State Park in January 2018. It is one of the largest annual events hosted by the Birmingham Track Club.

Birmingham Track Club will host one of its largest annual events, Adam’s Heart Runs, at Oak Mountain State Park on Saturday, Jan. 26.

The event, which had about 250 participants in 2018, features 10K and 10-mile chip-timed races, both beginning at 9 a.m. And this year, the event adds a 5K, also at 9 a.m., according to race director Lisa Booher.

The goal is to “encourage participation from a wider variety of runners,” Booher said.

Now in its 42nd year, the event is named for its founder, Adam Robertson, an avid runner and longtime Birmingham physician. Robertson served as race director for many years and still volunteers at the event.

He’ll hand out awards and give runners a “pep talk” before the race, Booher said. In 2018, Robertson “promised runners that if they continue running, they will all live longer,” she said.

A family-friendly post-race party features food, beverage, prizes and kids activities, according to Booher.

The event raises money to support the Birmingham Track Club, a nonprofit that “advocates healthy lifestyles by hosting weekly group runs open to everyone in the community,” Booher said.

And the BTC is more than a running club, according to Booher. “We also give back to our community by promoting trails and safe passages and connecting communities,” she said.

Overall male and female winners will receive Trak Shak gift cards and Resolute Running gift certificates. The winners in several age brackets will receive medals.

Registration is $35 for the 10K run, $40 for the 10-mile run and $30 for the 5K, plus a $2.50 sign-up fee. For details and registration, go to birminghamtrackclub.com.